Overview & Reviews

Chrysler is generally considered part of the Big Three, a title that refers to the traditional triumvirate of domestic automakers. The current accuracy of this classification is open for debate, but there's no debating the fact that Chrysler has experienced a revival of sorts over the past few years.

Chrysler Corporation was founded in 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler, a noted machinist; he'd purchased the Maxwell Motor Corporation of Detroit and used it as the foundation for his new company. The automaker quickly earned a reputation for advanced engineering. In 1928, Chrysler Corporation expanded with the purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions.

The 1930s saw Chrysler boldly looking toward the future with the introduction of its revolutionary Airflow. Powered by a front-mounted inline-8, the car was one of the first to be designed with aerodynamics in mind, and featured swooping lines and a prominent grille. Perhaps a bit too ahead of its time, the Airflow was a flop with the public. Chrysler was able to survive the lean years of the Depression thanks to strong sales of its entry-level Dodge and Plymouth brands, whose vehicles boasted more traditional designs and much lower price tags.

Chrysler shined postwar. For a period in the late 1940s, it even surpassed Ford as the No. 2 U.S. automaker. The company's storied "Hemi" V8 engine debuted in 1951. Offering 180 horsepower, it was a significant improvement over Chrysler's previous 135-hp V8. The Hemi engine was meant to trounce the V8 offered by Cadillac, Chrysler's rival, and it kick-started Detroit's horsepower race of the 1950s and '60s. The '50s also saw the debut of treasured Chrysler classics like the handsome Town and Country and the sleek 300C.

By 1961, Chrysler had trimmed its line of brands by dropping the DeSoto nameplate. New technologies were also afoot, such as unibody construction (Chrysler was the first of the Big Three to introduce it) and the replacement of generators with alternators for a car's charging system. In the latter half of the '60s, Chrysler was heavily involved with NASCAR and producing performance-oriented cars.

At the same time, however, dark clouds were gathering. As with other domestic automakers, the 1970s proved to be a difficult decade due to the oil crisis, new government regulations and changing consumer tastes. A costly and ineffective overseas expansion further hurt the company's bottom line. By the late '70s, the company was in such financial disarray that it petitioned the government for $1.5 billion in loan guarantees to save it from bankruptcy.

Thanks to impressive public campaigning by then-chairman Lee Iacocca, the debut of the well-received K-car platform and the creation of the modern minivan, sales had improved dramatically by the mid-'80s. The government's loan was paid off seven years early. The picture further brightened in the late 1980s with Chrysler's purchase of American Motors Corporation (which netted the company the Jeep brand) and a joint venture with Mitsubishi known as Diamond Star Motors.

Success continued through the early 1990s. In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler. At the time, this deal was presented as a merger of equals. But it quickly became apparent that it was more of a purchase, with Daimler being the dominant partner.

Less than a decade later, that merger was no longer, as Daimler sold Chrysler (and Dodge) to a private equity firm in 2007. However, that merger had borne some worthwhile fruit, most notably in the form of the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan. The latter shared some chassis components with an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class platform.

As such, the 300 was a highlight for Chrysler that had a pleasingly solid feel to its driving dynamics that was further sweetened via an available powerful V8 engine. But soon after the split, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy and the federal government intervened with bailout loans. Eventually Chrysler came under control of Italy's Fiat.

Today, the lineup has been pared down to a pair of sedans, a convertible and a minivan. However, after years of having lackluster entries in the very important midsize car category, Chrysler made major improvements in the performance, design and quality of its midsize sedan entry, the 200. The latest 300 also stands as a prime choice for a premium full-size sedan. Still, it remains to be seen as to whether this and future product releases will be enough to restore the company to its former glory.

User Reviews:

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  SUV (Sport Utility Minivan) - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Califafunk - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Love this car, minivan, wagon???? Interior makes you feel like a million bucks. Exterior is sleek and different. Drives like a well tuned car and has torque like a pickup.

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  A Grandmothers Toy - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By OldSchool - February 24 - 10:00 am

  With more than 150,000 miles, and two grandkids, my wife’s ’95 Lincoln Town Car was showing it’s age in the form of repair bills. Its replacement would have to offer good mileage (something the Town Car didn’t), versatility with regard to storage (the Town Car has one heck of a trunk), comfort (a Town Car signature trait), and style. It had to fit in with a stable of “Retro Vehicles”, which includes a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500, a 2003 Jaguar XJ8, and the venerable ’95 Town Car. The black, 2004, turbo, Touring Edition, with the chrome package fit the bill perfectly. My wife’s only question is: “Should I drive the black Jag, or the black PT?”

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  Luxury Ride at a Price - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By pdt66 - February 23 - 12:43 pm

  Loaded with every option except seat memory (GPS, 2nd row Entertainment System, Premium Leather, 19" wheels, UConnect, side airbags, laminated windows, power liftgate, etc). This car is a VERY nice ride....more luxurious on the inside than my Chrysler 300. Ride is smooth, quiet and responsive....a real pleasure to drive. Seating configurations (third row) are many and provide max flexibility. Intermezzo sound system is very nice. UConnect works great with Bluetooth enabled cell phone. Overall an extremely well appointed and full featured car -- great for a family of four that wants the option to ocassionally carry 6 passengers.

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  Poor gas mileage and VERY poor in frontal - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Gloria - February 20 - 10:50 pm

  We had alot of problems with the starter switch and in a frontal crash the engine came up into the firewall which caused alot of personal injuries to driver and passanger. We did not get good mileage in city driving.

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  SRT-6 Coupe - A Real Sleeper!! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Ken C - February 20 - 3:10 am

  I purchased my Graphite Metallic SRT-6 7 mos ago. The plan was to buy the SRT- 6, drive it for a couple of years until the price of a used Cayman S got within my range, then sell it and move into the Porsche. I really underestimated this car! Suspension, handling, acceleration, and build quality have all been tremendous. The more I drive it, the more impressed I am. Im not clear why the SRT-6 hasnt gotten more positive press. I guess attention has been more focused on the new Vette and Cayman S. With the incentives available on the SRT-6, the price is below $40K, making the SRT-6 a bargain compared to similar performing 2 seat sports cars. Like the title says: A Real Sleeper!!

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  Great car for the money - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Lisa - February 19 - 5:46 am

  We chose to add all the available features to upgrade our car to include all the features we always really wanted in a car- the leather seat pkg., dvd and entertainment up grade, sunrooof, nav. system, ect. and the price was still reasonable. Compared to a comp. equiped Cadillac, Lexus, or VW it was a deal. It might not have the status of the previously mentioned models but its comfort and appointments are just as nice. Weare very pleased. The only real drawback we have found is the lack of visibility when backing up. This could be solved by adding the rear sensor option from Mopar. Other than that we love our Pacifica!

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  Looks great, needs fine tuning! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Company Car - February 18 - 6:20 am

  This is a very stylish car that gets comments from everyone! It is a huge attention grabber. Unfortunately, I drive 35,000 miles a year and spend a lot of time in it. The cloth seats are miserable - very stiff. The two cup holders are small in front. With a baby car seat in back, the back seat has no cup holders at all. The check engine light comes on if the gas cap is not sealed 100% per the dealer. The six disc CD and stereo are very nice. I would not buy the base model car if given a choice.

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  Lovely, Lovely! - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By mocknozzier - February 16 - 5:53 pm

  I bought my 2001 5-speed PT Cruiser on February 19, 2014, and it has been nothing but perfect so far! I only paid $2,500 for it, 85,000 mi, and numerous people commented on what good condition it was in (I had test drove another PT at a different dealer; it was higher priced and was in bad condition). I learned to drive stick in this car; it is particularly more easy to stall in this car than in other stick shifts. Its not very good in the snow, so its best to wait until the roads are plowed and salted to take it out. I have a lot of tall friends (around 6 ft), and for being a small car it has a lot of leg/head room! It is also a dream to parallel park and is very spacious on the inside!

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  Great Car!!! - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By cTOF9 - February 15 - 10:00 am

  I bought the car for its looks and utility and have not been disappointed in any way. Sure, it could pack more mustard under the hood, but for the money you cant find a sweeter ride. I have had no mechanical problems and have recommended buying them to friends and family. In fact, after my sister drove mine, she traded in her Jetta for a brand new Cruiser!

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  Love our PTs!!! - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By LV - February 12 - 11:16 am

  We bought 2 PTs in March 08-a Limited Edition for Mom and a Pacific Coast Highway Edition for our teenager. We both love our new cars! Best feature is the utility of the vehicle--love all the options in the back-absolutely perfect for beach trips, groceries and softball equipment. We have actually gained on the Mpg as we "broke-in" the cars (both were brand new at purchase). We love the retro styling, pick-up is just fine; SO FUN TO DRIVE! So much better than those sedans!! Enjoy your ride and long live the PT!!